Launch of "100 of the Best, Darlington's greatest matches" -- video interview
By Ray Simpson
Paul Hodgson's latest book
Check out the video of paul Hodgson's book launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68-yoOJnld8
What were our most memorable matches of the last 50 years? Paul Hodgson is better placed than most to weigh in on the matter. He's been a regular presence at games for the past half-century. What's more, as a disabled fan attending games in a wheelchair, he offers a unique and fascinating perspective on the match-day experience. The story begins in the 1972/73 season when Paul's mother took him to his first game: Southport at home. The Quakers were soundly thrashed 7-0, yet the seven-year-old Paul was hooked. The book takes us through the 1970s when Darlington had to apply for re-election almost every season, on to the 1980s when their fortunes improved and through to the modern day. Paul hasn't just chosen the 100 best results - some were horrific defeats - but each match made an indelible impression on him.
One Hundred of the Best is an interesting mix of match reports and Paul's experiences of not just the games, but his adventures of getting there in his wheelchair. The book is a 'must' for every Darlington fan.
Read and find out about:
- Paul’s first match – a baptism of fire – when he saw Darlington trounced 7-0 at home to Southport but became an instant fan
- The amusing tale of how Paul skipped boarding school to go to a League Cup tie against Fulham in 1978
- Paul’s reminiscences of the first ever official Sunday match in the UK when Darlington played Mansfield Town in the 1980-81 season
- A vivid account of Darlington's first promotion (to Division 3) in 1985: Paul, along with his friends Ian and Stephen, were at Crewe to witness it
- Darlington's first ever visit to Wembley against Plymouth (Play-Off Final) in 1996, as witnessed by Paul and Ian
- Paul’s account of when the club were reborn in 2012 and had to start at Step 5 at home to Bishop Auckland in the Northern League
The hardcover book, which is published by Pitch Publishing, has 224 pages, and costs £16.99. It’s available from Quaker Retail and our online shop on the official Darlington FC website here:
